Friends, families bid farewell to 2 more Conn. first-graders

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NEWTOWN, Conn. — The heartbreaking procession of tiny caskets continued yesterday as two more young victims of Friday’s school shooting rampage were laid to rest.

Back-to-back funerals for first-graders James Mattioli and Jessica Rekos were held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Newtown, the first of eight to be held in the coming days at the church.

James was “the perfect blend of goodness and mischief,” scheming for that second treat or a few extra minutes of TV before bed, but he was also a devoted sidekick to both his father and sister, Anna, his mother told those gathered at the church.

“Thank you for being your dad’s little helper,” said his mom, Cindy. “Thank you for being Anna’s best playmate and confidant. Thank you for all the … chats before bed about what we did today and what tomorrow would hold. Thank you for lighting up the world with your smile.”

Jessica proudly showed off the blue ribbon she had won at her first horse show, loved headbands and cowboy hats and wanted black riding shoes for Christmas — “real ones, not the kind from Target,” said her mom, Erika.

“Santa was going to bring those next week,” she said.

Instead, her riding instructor placed them and a stuffed animal on top of her casket in a heart-wrenching goodbye to the family’s “little CEO.”

“She was so full of life,” said her mom, “and she brought us so much.”